Awaroa Lodge

You could arrive by private plane but that’s to miss the point of this place; the only way to arrive is by boat or on foot – it lies on the 60-kilometer Abel Tasman Coast Track – and, blissfully, there’s no road access. (Use the efficient Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle (www.abeltasmanseashuttles.co.nz ) and they’ll transport your luggage direct to the Lodge.) Tucked amongst a jungle of vegetation in the luxuriant Abel Tasman National Park, and five minutes’ walk from a powder-soft beach, this lodge has a castaway feel – but at the luxury end of the scale. Designed not to intrude on the landscape, the buildings are largely of natural materials and are painted in soft shades of greys and greens. The open-plan bar-restaurant-lounge is an airy space with lofty ceiling, pale-wood floors and huge windows with rustic wood-burner stoves for chillier days. Rooms, cleverly sited to offer privacy, are similarly cool and uncluttered with raftered ceilings, rugs on tiled floors, clean-lined wood furniture and milky-grey colours. Bathrooms have large walk-in showers while all rooms have private verandas. It’s worth paying extra for the Superior rooms; more modern and overlooking the lush wetland reserve. Eating is not cheap; either fine-dining or (our recommendation) the pizzeria where you can eat freshly baked pizzas at rustic tables under the trees. Be warned; the kitchen can close early, so check before you decide to have a snooze before dinner. Days can be spent walking the fabulous Abel Tasman Coast Track, kayaking, swimming – or just wallowing in the stunning scenery.

 

Written by Helen Pickles

• Wifi
• There is limited WiFi at the lodge, and no TVs or mobile phoen coverage due to the remote location
• Restaurant
• Dine on garden-grown dishes at the Harakeke Restaurant or the relaxed pizzeria and garden bar
• Child friendly
• Outdoorsy kids will adore the resident glow-worm dell & feeding the family of tame eels
• Family Suites
• With a mezzanine level, these suites sleep up to six people
• Views
• Over wetlands and native bush of the National Park
• Shops
• Gift shop and tour desk
• Massage
• Bar
• Rooms with balcony/terrace
• Outdoor dining

• Cots available
• Conference facilities
• Library
• Sit-out Terrace
• Sitting Room
• Room service
• Garden
• Suites
• Concierge
• Safe

• Kayaking
• Explore Awaroa Bay by sea kayak or stand-up paddleboard for encounters with penguins, seals and dolphins
• Sailing
• Sailing adventures, complete with stops for sea swims or relaxed beach picnics, are a family favourite
• Great walks
• Hike the Abel Tasman Coast Track or take guided nature walks with the lodge's own experts
• Birdwatching
• Species include paradise duck, pukeko, tui, bellbird, dotterel, tern
• Fishing

• Snorkelling
• Trekking
• Diving
• Wildlife Area
• Hotel boats for hire

Why do people love staying in your hotel? The remote location and wilderness setting in a National Park, with access to one of the most beautiful unspoilt beaches in New Zealand What is there to do in the area? Walking some of the coastal track, swimming, kayaking or stand up paddle boarding, sailing, fishing charters, scenic flights – or just reading a book on the balcony! What kind of breakfast do you offer? A la carte, continental or cooked options Do you offer other meals? Lunch, dinner, pizzeria, bar snacks using local and fresh ingredients where possible. And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? Due to our location the only other option is to order a picnic and enjoy on the beach or book a scenic heli-gourmet flight and dine on a nearby mountaintop! Which are your most popular room types, and why? We are a small property and our rooms suit different budgets and needs; for a romantic break choose a Superior Suite or for those walking the track who want a comfortable simple option choose a Standard room. What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms ? No rollaways are available; the Family Rooms can accommodate up to 6 people. Children enjoy feeding the tame eels and exploring the outdoors with parents, the beach is great for swimming under supervision. We have board games, books and some toys are available in the Library. What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers? For travellers looking for a wilderness experience in a National Park, Awaroa Lodge offers peace and tranquillity in lovely surroundings. The Lodge has no TV’s and no cell phone coverage so it’s the perfect escape from everyday life with a truly New Zealand feel!